Welcome! I hope everyone enjoyed the three-day weekend. This week, we'll finish 1984 and begin drafting our final essays for the unit.
TUESDAY: Finish watching "Black Mirror: 15 Million Merits" and discuss. What are some similarities with the world in the episode and 1984? What are some similarities between the world in the episode and our current society? What might the writers have been showing us about the effects of technology in our lives? Discuss Book 3: Chapter 1 in class. DUE: Book 3, chapter 1 read for today. HW: Begin brainstorming and outlining ideas for final unit essay, bring to class on Wednesday. Read Book 3: Chapter 2 for Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY: Introduction to rubric for essay, lesson about developing a thesis statement (claim). Begin outlining process for essay draft. Discuss chapter 2 and parts of chapter 3 of Book 3 in 1984. HW: Work on outline for essay, including evidence from fiction and nonfiction sources. Read chapter 4 (6 pages) for Thursday.
THURSDAY: Discuss chapters 4 and 5 of 1984: Book 3 in class. Work time on laptops to complete outline for final essay, focusing on finding evidence to support claim statements. All of the evidence we have examined in class is posted on the website: please feel free to use quotes from any of those passages/episodes to support your argument. HW: Finish 1984, (chapter 6) for Friday, (9 pages). Finish draft of outline.
FRIDAY: Whiparound: thesis statements. Discuss the end of 1984. Bring 1984 book to class to turn back in. Have outline ready for check-off. Work in pairs to peer review each others' outlines. HW: Using peer revision notes, begin draft of essay for next Tuesday.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
February 9-13
We've almost finished with Book Two of 1984, and this week we'll be moving to the final section. Winston and Julia have fully committed to rebelling against the regime. As part of our accompanying non-fiction work, we'll look at Edward Snowden's actions/revelations and discuss whether or not he is a hero, a traitor, or both.
MONDAY: Continue reading and discussing Chapter 9 of Book Two, 1984. Vocabulary activity. Intro to Wikileaks case.
TUESDAY: Watch documentary and debate about the Snowden/Wikileaks current issue. Edward Snowden/Wikileaks discussion/notes. As a class, write persuasive essay outline. HW: Vocabulary due on Thursday, quiz on Thursday.
WEDNESDAY: Read Chapter 10, last chapter of Book Two, 1984. Review Book Two in class. HW: Study for quiz on Thursday, finish vocabulary #2 worksheet for Thursday.
THURSDAY: (Mogilefsky out for all-day AP teacher scoring meeting.) Vocabulary/Book Two quiz. Begin reading Chapter 1, Book Three, 1984, individually. Begin watching Black Mirror, 15 Million Merits.
FRIDAY: Finish watching Black Mirror, 15 Million Merits, and discuss. HW: Finish reading chapter 1, book three, 1984.
Have a wonderful three-day weekend! See you on Tuesday, after the President's Day holiday.
MONDAY: Continue reading and discussing Chapter 9 of Book Two, 1984. Vocabulary activity. Intro to Wikileaks case.
TUESDAY: Watch documentary and debate about the Snowden/Wikileaks current issue. Edward Snowden/Wikileaks discussion/notes. As a class, write persuasive essay outline. HW: Vocabulary due on Thursday, quiz on Thursday.
WEDNESDAY: Read Chapter 10, last chapter of Book Two, 1984. Review Book Two in class. HW: Study for quiz on Thursday, finish vocabulary #2 worksheet for Thursday.
THURSDAY: (Mogilefsky out for all-day AP teacher scoring meeting.) Vocabulary/Book Two quiz. Begin reading Chapter 1, Book Three, 1984, individually. Begin watching Black Mirror, 15 Million Merits.
FRIDAY: Finish watching Black Mirror, 15 Million Merits, and discuss. HW: Finish reading chapter 1, book three, 1984.
Have a wonderful three-day weekend! See you on Tuesday, after the President's Day holiday.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
February 2-6
This week, we'll continue with Book Two of 1984. We will meet four times this week, due to the sophomore standardized testing on Tuesday and Wednesday morning (the CAHSEE). Please see the SAMOHI website for scheduling on those days.
MONDAY: 1984 book two overview/read parts of chapter three. Work time on laptops to finish posting link and first two paragraphs in response to the article you found about Chris Cornell, as well as the outline/rough draft of the essay in response to the FBI tech article received on Friday.
THURSDAY: Read parts of Chapter Eight out loud in class and accompanying article about Gaddafi's riches. Creative writing exercise using Book Two vocabulary sheet. HW: Finish creative writing for Friday.
FRIDAY: Close reading of selections from Chapter Nine. Discussion. Time to work on Vocabulary Worksheet. DUE: Draft of FBI tech essay. HW: Vocabulary sheet due Tuesday, February 10.
MONDAY: 1984 book two overview/read parts of chapter three. Work time on laptops to finish posting link and first two paragraphs in response to the article you found about Chris Cornell, as well as the outline/rough draft of the essay in response to the FBI tech article received on Friday.
TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY: Read 1984, including chapter six out loud in class and discuss. Mini-lesson about persuasive essays. HW: Turn in outline and essay written into sentences per the directions at the end of the FBI article by Friday at the latest. The essay is a short, 4-paragraph argument claiming either: 1. The
FBI should use all available technology to prevent crimes and terrorism. OR 2. The
FBI should have more limits on the technology it uses to track citizens for law
enforcement.
THURSDAY: Read parts of Chapter Eight out loud in class and accompanying article about Gaddafi's riches. Creative writing exercise using Book Two vocabulary sheet. HW: Finish creative writing for Friday.
FRIDAY: Close reading of selections from Chapter Nine. Discussion. Time to work on Vocabulary Worksheet. DUE: Draft of FBI tech essay. HW: Vocabulary sheet due Tuesday, February 10.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
January 26-30
Welcome! We've finished exploring Orwell's detailed description of the dystopia headed by Big Brother in Book One of 1984. This week, we'll venture into Book Two and find out how Winston rebels, as well as researching how the United States is currently identifying and prosecuting potential terrorist activities in the present day.
MONDAY: Vocab/reading quiz for 1984, book one. Read and annotate two articles about J.Edgar Hoover's FBI in the United States highlighting what is acceptable and not acceptable in your opinion.
TUESDAY: Discuss FBI articles. Read selections from 1984 Book Two, chapter one and act out two scenes in front of the class.
WEDNESDAY: Discuss 1984 Book Two, read selections from chapter 2.
THURSDAY: Current events day. Read and annotate article about the recent arrest of Chris Cornell for plotting a terrorist action within the United States. Use laptops to research case in greater detail. Post link to articles and the first 2 written out paragraphs of an argument essay about the case to Turnitin.com for Tuesday. HW: Finish post on Turnitin.com for Tuesday.
FRIDAY: Read and annotate FBI technology article, write outline response and argument essay defending one of 2 claims: The FBI should use all available technology to prevent crimes and terrorism, OR The FBI should have more limits on the technology it uses to prevent crimes and terrorism (see article for more details). HW: .If you didn't complete it in class, post link and first two paragraphs describing your opinion about the government's role in the Chris Cornell arrest in Turnitin.com for Tuesday. Also, finish writing out FBI tech article essay response for Monday.
MONDAY: Vocab/reading quiz for 1984, book one. Read and annotate two articles about J.Edgar Hoover's FBI in the United States highlighting what is acceptable and not acceptable in your opinion.
TUESDAY: Discuss FBI articles. Read selections from 1984 Book Two, chapter one and act out two scenes in front of the class.
WEDNESDAY: Discuss 1984 Book Two, read selections from chapter 2.
THURSDAY: Current events day. Read and annotate article about the recent arrest of Chris Cornell for plotting a terrorist action within the United States. Use laptops to research case in greater detail. Post link to articles and the first 2 written out paragraphs of an argument essay about the case to Turnitin.com for Tuesday. HW: Finish post on Turnitin.com for Tuesday.
FRIDAY: Read and annotate FBI technology article, write outline response and argument essay defending one of 2 claims: The FBI should use all available technology to prevent crimes and terrorism, OR The FBI should have more limits on the technology it uses to prevent crimes and terrorism (see article for more details). HW: .If you didn't complete it in class, post link and first two paragraphs describing your opinion about the government's role in the Chris Cornell arrest in Turnitin.com for Tuesday. Also, finish writing out FBI tech article essay response for Monday.
Monday, January 19, 2015
January 20-23
Our unit about 1984 and all of its real-world applications is well
under way. Last week we continued with Book 1, and watched a
documentary about conditions in North Korea. I've received many
wonderful "World of 1984" projects including Police Patrol helicopters
with tiny cameras, drawings of the fashions of the various political
groups, compare/contrast descriptions, and many ominous pictures of Big
Brother's face glaring out of posters ("Big Brother is Watching You!")
We will continue our exploration of the novel this week, finishing Book 1 (out of 3 in 1984) and looking at our own FBI surveillance during the 20th Century.
TUESDAY: Work on laptops -- finish posting link to credible North Korea source on Turnitin.com. Add paragraph summary including author's main point. Receive vocabulary/reading overview of Book 1 in advance of a quiz this Friday. HW: Finish posting on Turnitin.com.
WEDNESDAY: Read aloud from 1984, work on vocabulary sheet. HW: Study for quiz on Friday.
THURSDAY: Read selections from the rest of Book 1 of 1984, work on vocabulary sheet. HW: Study for vocab/reading quiz.
FRIDAY: Reading/vocabulary quiz. Read articles about FBI surveillance, discussion. HW: Find one credible article about the recent case of the action taken against Chris Cornell, accused of planning a terrorist plot in the United States last week. Either print it out, or bring the internet address of the article to class for Monday.
We will continue our exploration of the novel this week, finishing Book 1 (out of 3 in 1984) and looking at our own FBI surveillance during the 20th Century.
TUESDAY: Work on laptops -- finish posting link to credible North Korea source on Turnitin.com. Add paragraph summary including author's main point. Receive vocabulary/reading overview of Book 1 in advance of a quiz this Friday. HW: Finish posting on Turnitin.com.
WEDNESDAY: Read aloud from 1984, work on vocabulary sheet. HW: Study for quiz on Friday.
THURSDAY: Read selections from the rest of Book 1 of 1984, work on vocabulary sheet. HW: Study for vocab/reading quiz.
FRIDAY: Reading/vocabulary quiz. Read articles about FBI surveillance, discussion. HW: Find one credible article about the recent case of the action taken against Chris Cornell, accused of planning a terrorist plot in the United States last week. Either print it out, or bring the internet address of the article to class for Monday.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
January 12-16
We'll continue into the world of 1984 this week and research conditions and news about North Korea -- sharpening research skills such as finding credible sources and using MLA citations along the way. We'll end the week by watching a VICE documentary about North Korea, taking notes and gathering evidence for the final essay the class will work on in early February.
MONDAY: Credible sources instruction. Research different aspects about conditions in North Korea and current news stories on laptops in classroom, then post findings and on discussion board in Turnitin.com. Share findings in small groups and with the whole class. HW: post one link about your subtopic for North Korea in Turnitin.com.
TUESDAY: Read 1984 in class and work on "World of 1984" activity. HW: finish posting one North Korean source on Turnitin.com, work on "World of 1984" activity, due Friday.
WEDNESDAY: Read 1984 in class and work on "World of 1984" activity. DUE: One North Korean source on Turnitin.com, work on "World of 1984" activity, due Friday.
THURSDAY: Begin VICE documentary about North Korea and "VICE Worksheet." HW: Finish "World of 1984" activity for Friday. VICE worksheet is due Friday by the end of class.
FRIDAY: Finish VICE North Korea documentaries and work on "VICE Worksheet." Class discussion. DUE: "World of 1984" activity/project. VICE Worksheet due at the end of the period.
NOTE: There will be some additional laptop time on Tuesday to ensure everyone is signed up in Turnitin.com and able to upload links to articles for our independent reading for this unit. If you have time and access to a computer, please sign in to Turnitin.com and upload a link to a credible article source for North Korea and summarize the main points in 3 - 5 sentences.
Enjoy the three-day weekend! See you Tuesday.
MONDAY: Credible sources instruction. Research different aspects about conditions in North Korea and current news stories on laptops in classroom, then post findings and on discussion board in Turnitin.com. Share findings in small groups and with the whole class. HW: post one link about your subtopic for North Korea in Turnitin.com.
TUESDAY: Read 1984 in class and work on "World of 1984" activity. HW: finish posting one North Korean source on Turnitin.com, work on "World of 1984" activity, due Friday.
WEDNESDAY: Read 1984 in class and work on "World of 1984" activity. DUE: One North Korean source on Turnitin.com, work on "World of 1984" activity, due Friday.
THURSDAY: Begin VICE documentary about North Korea and "VICE Worksheet." HW: Finish "World of 1984" activity for Friday. VICE worksheet is due Friday by the end of class.
FRIDAY: Finish VICE North Korea documentaries and work on "VICE Worksheet." Class discussion. DUE: "World of 1984" activity/project. VICE Worksheet due at the end of the period.
NOTE: There will be some additional laptop time on Tuesday to ensure everyone is signed up in Turnitin.com and able to upload links to articles for our independent reading for this unit. If you have time and access to a computer, please sign in to Turnitin.com and upload a link to a credible article source for North Korea and summarize the main points in 3 - 5 sentences.
Enjoy the three-day weekend! See you Tuesday.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
January 6-9
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I'm very excited to begin 2015 with our next text, 1984. George Orwell's most famous book is as relevant and interesting now as it was back in 1949. It's not a "light" or "fluffy" read I admit, but it is the first real dystopian novel and some of its content is important enough to have been adopted into the English language ("Orwellian," "Big Brother.") In this unit, students will gather evidence from fictional works (1984, the modern film "Minority Report," and more,) as well as nonfiction (a documentary describing the conditions inside North Korea, news articles and opinion pieces about Edward Snowden and Wikileaks/NSA surveillance, the existence of COINTELPRO, the information retained about consumers by corporations such as Google and Facebook, emerging laws governing internet use and technology, genetic biometrics, and examples of historical government surveillance such as a case study about wiretapping in East Germany. All of these sources, as well as student-selected sources, will help inform a final essay supporting the student's view about how much freedom should be enjoyed by Americans while satisfying the need for security.
Learning objectives for this unit include:
MONDAY: Enjoy the last day of Winter Break!
TUESDAY: Intro to unit. Discuss vocabulary words specific to 1984, George Orwell, the main characters. Pick up 1984 from the textbook room. HW: Fill out "Guide to 1984" worksheet. Bring 1984 to class everyday!
WEDNESDAY: Begin reading 1984 aloud in class. Students will take notes and work on "The World of 1984" assignment where they will choose a visual activity to complete for chapters 1-3. DUE: Guide to 1984 worksheet check-off for completion. HW: Continue work on visual assignment.
THURSDAY: Share visual work in progress, discuss 1984 vocab. Continue reading aloud in class. HW: Continue work on visual assignment.
FRIDAY: Current events/issues day. Article about recent conflict between the U.S. and North Korea over the release of "The Interview" movie. Research general information about North Korea and compare/contrast with the world of 1984 so far. HW: Research one fact/article about North Korea for Monday.
I'm very excited to begin 2015 with our next text, 1984. George Orwell's most famous book is as relevant and interesting now as it was back in 1949. It's not a "light" or "fluffy" read I admit, but it is the first real dystopian novel and some of its content is important enough to have been adopted into the English language ("Orwellian," "Big Brother.") In this unit, students will gather evidence from fictional works (1984, the modern film "Minority Report," and more,) as well as nonfiction (a documentary describing the conditions inside North Korea, news articles and opinion pieces about Edward Snowden and Wikileaks/NSA surveillance, the existence of COINTELPRO, the information retained about consumers by corporations such as Google and Facebook, emerging laws governing internet use and technology, genetic biometrics, and examples of historical government surveillance such as a case study about wiretapping in East Germany. All of these sources, as well as student-selected sources, will help inform a final essay supporting the student's view about how much freedom should be enjoyed by Americans while satisfying the need for security.
Learning objectives for this unit include:
- reading and annotating a variety of texts short and long, fiction and nonfiction, for understanding and evaluation
- gathering online and offline research from credible sources including the school database and citing them properly in MLA format
- speaking in small groups, whole class discussions, and a debate
- writing shorter compare/contrast pieces
- writing and revising a final essay
MONDAY: Enjoy the last day of Winter Break!
TUESDAY: Intro to unit. Discuss vocabulary words specific to 1984, George Orwell, the main characters. Pick up 1984 from the textbook room. HW: Fill out "Guide to 1984" worksheet. Bring 1984 to class everyday!
WEDNESDAY: Begin reading 1984 aloud in class. Students will take notes and work on "The World of 1984" assignment where they will choose a visual activity to complete for chapters 1-3. DUE: Guide to 1984 worksheet check-off for completion. HW: Continue work on visual assignment.
THURSDAY: Share visual work in progress, discuss 1984 vocab. Continue reading aloud in class. HW: Continue work on visual assignment.
FRIDAY: Current events/issues day. Article about recent conflict between the U.S. and North Korea over the release of "The Interview" movie. Research general information about North Korea and compare/contrast with the world of 1984 so far. HW: Research one fact/article about North Korea for Monday.
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